Inspite of a slightly thin plot I enjoyed Baron Blood a lot. The story concerns a resurrected revenant roaming his old but beautiful Austrian castle and attempting to hunt down the two people (one of whom is his descendant) who rather stupidly brought him back to life. Well, after reciting the spell once, and getting an obvious warning that the old baron is back, they do it again after returning him to his grave!
A good cast delivers decent performances but it's Jospeh Cotton that steals all the scenes. He doesn't appear until about 45 minutes in, but as it's in a shot that makes his head seem to float eerily among an auction house crowd (until it's revealed he's in a wheelchair!) we'll forgive him his late entrance! Cotton, fresh from Abominable Doctor Phibes, is on top form here.
The film itself is absolutely ravishing to look at - I'd very much like to visit the genuine Austrian castle where it was shot, and Bava pulls off several superb touches, while referencing an awful lot of old horror flicks.
Vincent Price was originally sought for the Cotton role, and it's obvious that the Baron's look is highly reminiscent of Price's look in HOUSE OF WAX. Indeed, Bava borrows the stalking scene from that movie, too. It also seems to have inspired the Doctor Death from MADHOUSE, which of course starred Price and was made about a year later. And those familiar with Val Lewton's films will easily spot the homage to THE LEOPARD MAN.
Nicely done then, although the story is pretty basic and needed a bit more depth. Can't type anymore, as prior to watching the film on blue ray I cut my hand slicing a bun! The old Baron would have enjoyed that!
A good cast delivers decent performances but it's Jospeh Cotton that steals all the scenes. He doesn't appear until about 45 minutes in, but as it's in a shot that makes his head seem to float eerily among an auction house crowd (until it's revealed he's in a wheelchair!) we'll forgive him his late entrance! Cotton, fresh from Abominable Doctor Phibes, is on top form here.
The film itself is absolutely ravishing to look at - I'd very much like to visit the genuine Austrian castle where it was shot, and Bava pulls off several superb touches, while referencing an awful lot of old horror flicks.
Vincent Price was originally sought for the Cotton role, and it's obvious that the Baron's look is highly reminiscent of Price's look in HOUSE OF WAX. Indeed, Bava borrows the stalking scene from that movie, too. It also seems to have inspired the Doctor Death from MADHOUSE, which of course starred Price and was made about a year later. And those familiar with Val Lewton's films will easily spot the homage to THE LEOPARD MAN.
Nicely done then, although the story is pretty basic and needed a bit more depth. Can't type anymore, as prior to watching the film on blue ray I cut my hand slicing a bun! The old Baron would have enjoyed that!